Do you struggle to separate your self-worth from your work? Discover how to commit your work to God, set boundaries that protect your peace, and build confidence rooted in faith—not performance.
Have you ever felt like your work defines your worth?
Whether you’re managing a career, a household, or a ministry, it’s easy to let performance determine your value. In a culture that equates success with achievement, how do we work faithfully without tying our identity to outcomes?
In this post, we’ll explore how to commit your work to God and develop faith and confidence in your work—without letting performance define your identity. Through prayer, healthy boundaries, and contentment, you’ll learn to do your best work while finding your worth apart from your work. Whether you lead a team, run a home, or pursue a creative calling, these habits will help you work from a place of peace, not pressure.
This post is part of our Work & Worth series on the Habits of Hope Podcast, where we unpack Psalm 90:17 and learn to trust God with our work, build healthy rhythms, and find purpose without burnout.
Habit of Hope: Commit your work to God
Psalm 90:17
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” (NIV)
“And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!” (NLT)
This beautiful verse reminds us that God’s favor and presence are essential to meaningful work. Whether results are immediate or not, we can ask God to establish—not just bless—the work of our hands. Establish means to make firm, secure, and lasting.
The NIV emphasizes God’s favor and stability. The NLT highlights approval and success. Together, they remind us that God values both our process and our results.
Favor carries the idea of beauty, kindness, and delight. God doesn’t just use our work—He delights in the dreams He’s placed in our hearts. When we pursue those dreams in dependence on Him, it becomes less about performance and more about partnership with our Creator.
This verse can also shape our prayers—not as a way to earn success, but to invite His presence into our work.
1. Commit Your Work to God in Prayer
Prayer is more than a formality—it’s how we invite God into our workday. It reorients our hearts and reminds us that our work is a spiritual practice.
“Sometimes I get so pressured by what I need to do that I forget to pray. But when I take time to invite God into my work, I remember that I’m not doing it alone.”
Whether it’s a short prayer on your commute or a quiet moment at your desk, prayer centers your heart in God’s presence and purpose.
Try praying this before you begin your work:
-
“Lord, give me Your energy, Your love for others, and Your wisdom.”
-
“Help me enjoy the work You’ve given me today.”
-
“Establish the work of my hands and let it bear fruit for Your glory.”
4 Ways to Pray for Your Work:
-
His favor – spiritual covering of grace and blessing
-
His presence – to remain aware of Him throughout the day
-
His guidance – for direction and clarity
-
His empowerment – for strength and joy
“Even bullet prayers make a difference,” Larissa shared. “I just want to glorify the Lord and ask for much fruit—for His glory and for those He’s called me to serve.”
Reflection: Have you invited God into your work today—or are you carrying it all on your own?
2. Set Boundaries with Your Work
One of the most spiritual things we can do is protect our work-life balance.
God modeled this in Genesis 1. After each day, He paused and called it good. On the sixth day, He said it was very good—then He rested.
“When I wrote Holy in the Moment, I worked long hours under a tight deadline. I was exhausted, and it affected my health. I’ve since learned the value of setting better boundaries—most of the time.”
Here are some practices to help:
Work Boundaries That Build Peace:
-
Define a consistent end time to your workday
-
Avoid working into the night or during Sabbath
-
Reflect daily on what went well and where you saw God at work
-
Leave work—mentally and emotionally—when it’s time to rest
Boundaries aren’t just about time—they honor God’s rhythm of work and rest. We are stewards of our energy. Without boundaries, we lose rest, relationships, and joy.
“Sometimes, especially for teachers, writers, and pastors, it feels like work is never done. I’m learning to stop, appreciate the progress, and thank God at the end of each day.”
Reflection: What boundary could help protect your well-being or relationships in this season?
3. Build with What God Provides
One of the most freeing habits is to stop striving for more and start using what God has already placed in your hands.
“I felt like I was doing too much and none of it well. God began teaching me to slow down and make the most of what He’d already provided.”
Sometimes, instead of chasing the next big thing, God invites us to go deeper. Contentment doesn’t mean complacency—it means trusting God with the process.
“I remind myself, I get to do this. Gratitude leads to contentment, and contentment brings peace. God has called me, and He’s provided.”
Whether you’re leading a team or managing your home, being faithful with what you already have is a powerful act of trust.
7 Ways to Build with What God Provides:
-
Practice gratitude over hustle
-
Choose contentment over comparison
-
Stay present instead of pressured
-
Focus on growth over perfection
-
Ask God for your next right step—and do that well
-
Revisit unused opportunities
-
Create margin to reflect and listen before acting
Reflection: What’s one resource or opportunity you’ve been overlooking?
What This Can Mean for Your Work
True success isn’t measured by stats, income, or applause. In God’s eyes, success is measured by faithfulness.
When you:
-
Commit your work to God in prayer
-
Set intentional boundaries
-
Build with what God provides
…you’ll experience peace and purpose that come from confidence rooted in Christ—not performance.
“Your worth is found in Christ, not in your work.”
Some days, results are slow or unseen—but God still delights in your faithfulness. He’s with you in the process, and He’s using your work even when you can’t see it.
This Week’s Action Steps
-
Choose one of the three habits (prayer, boundaries, or contentment)
-
Ask God to help you put it into practice this week
-
Reflect at the end of each day: What went well? Where did I see God show up?
Keep the Conversation Going
If this message encouraged you:
-
Share it with a friend or co-worker
-
Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode
-
Leave a review and let us know which habit helped you most
Until next time—work well, friend, and enjoy the process. God is in it with you.
Want help trusting God with your work?
Download the guide for this series: 15 Habits of Hope for Your Work. You’ll get 15 simple, Scripture-rooted habits to help you live from your worth, not for it.
For more on this topic, check out Chapter 12: “Moments to Work” in Holy in the Moment—a book that invites you to experience God’s grace and presence in the small, everyday choices of life.
In the Moments to Work chapter, you’ll discover how God is present in your effort, not just the outcome. Learn how to live intentionally, respond to His nudges in your workday, and trust Him with every moment.
Recent Episodes
26.Are You Willing to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone for Growth?
Explore practical steps to deepen your trust in God, find joy in discomfort, and grow spiritually through trials that require you to step out of your comfort zone.
27.Marnie Swedberg: Turn Your Hardships Into Faith & Hope
Marnie Swedberg shares her incredible journey of faith through hurricanes, personal losses, and triumphs. Tune in to learn how to build habits of hope, depend on Christ daily, and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
28. Redefining Success: Trusting God with Our Work
Feeling like your worth is tied to your productivity? In this episode, we explore the struggle of work-driven self-worth and perfectionism through the lens of Colossians 3:23-24. Discover how embracing your identity in Christ can free you from the pressure to perform. Part 1 of The Worth & Work Series.
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
